NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL DISTRICT 6
SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL, MUSIC ROOM
FEBRUARY 3, 2010

MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl Donovan, Sally Macmillan, Robin Baker, Lea McGiboney

MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen Peterson-Knaup

NEIGHBORS: Emma White, Kay Silk, Nick Bourdeau, Kathy Courtney

GUESTS: Donna Zook, Mike Dalton, Patty Cadwell, Kristal Kuhn

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Carl Donovan at 7:02 pm.

OLD BUSINESS

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: Sally advised that there were corrections to the minutes. Carl motioned to approve as corrected. Sallyl seconded the motion. The motion carried.

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Police Advisory Board: was held 1/21/10. 5 councils were represented.

Sally reported on the NC # 2 viaduct issue – they’re against removing any park land for other purposes.

Chief Grove, YEP (Youth Evaluation Program) informed the Board that the current facility never had major problems and they are watched very closely. The youths are released to their own homes.

Joe Littlefield spoke to NC # 8 regarding school pick up issue.

NC # 7 stated they wanted the downtown police officer back. They were informed that the officer sets his own hours as well as the Parkdale officers. The PD has lost Officer Klundt. 2 officers are being recruited, 4 officers are at the police academy. So far, there is a hiring freeze.

The Medical Marijuana issue has a moratorium. There is concern regarding abuse.

Chicken issue in the city: Carl talked to the zoning department and was informed Fleet and other suppliers of chickens may sell them and other fowl in the City limits because they aren’t purchased to be raised in the city.

Verde Park Commission: Karen had volunteered to be on this committee after the January meeting had adjourned.

Action Committee: Patty Cadwell informed all present that the next meeting has not been set.

NEW BUSINESS

Kristal Kuhn, Emergency Management Planner for the County, discussed venues for the city to assist the community during emergency situations. The sirens have been removed. There is the Emergency Alert System on TV or radio. Reverse 911 is not available in the County. They have the capability but it is expensive. She found that NIXLE sends emergency alerts to cell phones and it is a free service. The County will be using this service in addition to other means to alert the community. You must register to be on the system and the alerts will come to you by e-mail or text. Butte is currently using the system.

Mike Dalton, Sunburst Unltd., discussed a compost program he is trying to get the City involved in. The EPA has ordered the City this year to mediate waste dump offages (methane gases, etc.). He presented his “Gardens from Garbage” compost system to the Council. It is a cold composting process. The bins consist of 4 pallets lined with black plastic and chicken wire to keep the animals out. He has gotten some schools involved in composting. Robin suggested that NC # 6 host a project. For more information, contact him at 406-868-2359 or by e-mail at sunburstunlimited@gmail.com.

Donna Zook introduced herself to the Council. She is running for HD 20 State Representative.

Kathy Courtney presented her situation to the Council. She lives in a mobile home at M&H Trailer Court, 1346 9th Street South. Harold Poulsen and his son, Mark, own Happy Creek which is the real estate holding company for the trailer park. Happy Creek gave the nine tenants of the park eviction notices on January 14th. They have six months to move. They state the reason for the park closing is “real estate speculation.” Her concern is that the tenants’ trailers are so old they are not allowed in most trailer parks in the City and most cannot afford the lot rents of other parks. One of the tenants is extremely elderly and disabled. The process is creating homelessness. Donna Zook suggested Kathy contact the City/County Attorney to see if he can offer any assistance. Kathy stated Sheila Rice of NeighborWorks, is trying to help. Robin asked if Mr. Poulsen would be agreeable to extending the deadline until a plan can be implemented.

Neighborhood Concerns

Carl has had two calls about the new bridge at Upper River Road. There is inadequate lighting and it is a hazard to those that use it. Patty suggested he contact Jerry McKinley, Public Works, and ask when adequate lighting would be installed.

Sally informed us that Jerry Dolson is stil pursuing the concern over the drop off zone for the children at the school. The principal has been unresponsive to his requests. Perhaps a school safety committee could be formed as this is also a concern for eight schools.

OTHER BUSINESS

Council of Councils meeting will be March 17, 2010 at the Civic Center Gibson Room at 7:00 pm. Carl will attend.

The next NC # 6 meeting will be held Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 7:00 pm.

Robin Baker called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Sally motioned and Carl seconded. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lea McGiboney, Secretary

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL DISTRICT 6
SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL, MUSIC ROOM
JANUARY 6, 2010

MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl Donovan, Sally MacMillan, Robin Baker, Lea McGiboney, Karen Peterson-Knaup

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

NEIGHBORS: Jerry Polson, Josh Racki, Tena Racki, Maegan Roberts, Charles Bocock, Roger Norgaard, Audrey Finlayson, Jack Smith, Sherie Smith, Don McGiboney, Nick Bourdeau, Vickie Bourdeau,

GUESTS: Mary Thibaudeau, Kay Silk, Mariah Swanson, Kristina McCord, Katie Ulmer, Amanda Fritz, Hunter Carlyon, Ron Gessaman, Kathy Gessaman, Donna Kramer, Neil Taylor, Jeremy Reeve, Jeff Blair, Tanner Thires, Shawn Jackson, Jason Kellogg, Sierra Barnes, Dani Kimball, Kayla McKenzie, Eric Sayre, Morgan Hodge, Laramie Herford, Charlie Martrram, Katie Gunderson, Leren Robinson, M. Fought, Austin Heavy Runner, Kevin O’Conner, Brittany Kumm, Kyle Edwards, Dylan Martin, Thomas Wilson Haugeberg, Sam Binitz

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Carl Donovan at 7:02 pm.

OLD BUSINESS

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Carl called for nominations for chair. Robin Baker was nominated and was unanimously voted in. She then called the remaining election.

Carl Donovan was nominated for Vice-Chair and was unanimously voted in.

Karen Peterson-Knaup and Lea McGiboney were nominated for Secretary. Karen received two votes and Lea received three votes. Lea McGiboney is the Secretary for the 2010 year.

REVIEW OF BYLAWS: #8. Clarification of the removal of officers was discussed. Our bylaws do not state that the member is removed from the council but just from the office. This is allowable verbiage.
Sally moved to adopt the Bylaws with the change of the date to January 6, 2010, Lea seconded the motion. The motion carried.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: Sally motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Carl seconded the motion. The motion carried.

COMMUNITY REPORTS

No community reports were presented. Sally informed all present that the next Police Advisory Committee would be held January 21, 2010.

NEW BUSINESS

Nick Bourdeau presented a concern regarding chicken farmers that want to change the city ordinance so they may raise chickens in their backyards. The ordinance would affect the entire city, not just certain areas. He is opposed to the proposal and states it will cost considerable money to have the ordinance changed. He has discussed this with Patty Cadwell who informed him to go through the process as the city officials will come to us (the Neighborhood Council) first. He has petitioned for letters of support and has a “fifteen to one against” the proposal.
Carl Donovan spoke about his conversation with Chad Parker, City Attorney General, and presented the following information: Currently, no chickens are allowed in the city limits and there is no grandfather clause; he has been advised that anyone who know of person with chickens in the city limits are to call Animal Control at 454-2276; Chickens are considered livestock under the poultry definition; and Mr. Parker did not feel the ordinance could be rewritten.
Mr. Bourdeau stated he has two standing complaints in place.
Neil Taylor asked if businesses that sell chickens in the city limits are in violation of the ordinance.
Carl said he would call Animal Control to find out.
Roger Norgaard commented that it was a “stretch” to consider ownership of 6-8 chickens a chicken ranching operation. He doesn’t oppose owning chickens in the city limits. He suggested we (the Neighborhood Council) see how Missoula, Helena, Bozeman and Kalispell have their ordinances regarding chickens.
Karen Peterson-Knaup stated there were a lot of things to consider if the ordinance was to be changed such as the number of chickens to be allowed on a property, how will they be cared for, number of roosters to be allowed, and how the owners will be held accountable. It will require input from the members.
Sally MacMillan stated it should be put before the City Commission where a public hearing will be held.

Audrey Finlayson of the RSVP introduced herself and stated that they have moved to the building at 1801 Benefis Court. They plan to construct another building on the property. At another meeting she would like to request our support to paint curbs to control the traffic as the entrance to their facility is blocked or is hazardous to enter and exit due to the on-street traffic. She offered the use of their building for our meetings

NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS:
Sally Macmillan discussed the snow removal ordinance for the city of Great Falls. It states that snow must be cleared from residential sidewalks within twenty-four hours and by 11:00 am for commercial properties.
Sally Macmillan also expressed concern of the dirt pile and cinder blocks at the Amigo Lounge which have not been removed after the construction. The debris is actually on the Pierce Flooring lot. She has spoken with Kim McCleary and Heather Rauch about the problem.
Lea McGiboney thought there was a city ordinance that construction materials had to be fenced in.
Sally was not sure. On a positive note, she stated that the area has nice sidewalks and curb cuts.

OTHER BUSINESS:
Jerry Polson discussed the problem of off-street parking near the bus stop for Sunnyside School. The children run into traffic or parents park in the bus zone.
Karen Peterson-Knaup asked if there was any federal transportation money for this problem.
Jerry replied that he had asked Dave Houts, Public Transportation, about it and received no reply. There are eight elementary schools in Great Falls that do not have proper off-street parking for loading and unloading of students.

The next meeting will be held Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 7:00 pm.

Robin Baker called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Carl motioned and Sally seconded. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lea McGiboney, Secretary